First MQ-9 squadron looks good for 100
The 42nd Attack Squadron celebrates its centennial anniversary June 13, 2017. Its lineage can be traced back to World War I where it was a training unit before being redesignated in the mid-1930s as a bombardment squadron. During World War II, the 42nd flew bomber aircraft such as the B-18 Bolo, B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator in six aerial campaigns during World War II over the Pacific theater including the Battle of Midway. In 1963, the unit inactivated and briefly returned in 1989 as an air refueling squadron, but soon inactivated again in 1990. In 2006, the 42nd became the first MQ-9 Reaper squadron and continues today providing dominant persistent attack and reconnaissance to the combatant commanders 24/7 year-round. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christian Clausen)